It's easy to see why You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown is so popular. With its simple set and small cast, it has become a staple of high-school drama and small-scale productions all over America. Of course, this doesn't nec... more &raquoessarily translate into a grandiose Broadway show, but this Michael Mayer-directed production is enjoyable. Anthony Rapp (Rent) plays an effective Charlie and Ilana Levine's Lucy is fun. The lively "Snoopy" number (Roger Bart plays the canine's role) is the musical's highlight, but such tunes as "Beethoven Day" really date the musical. Some may find it simplistic; others will love it. Which probably makes it a lot like the "Peanuts" comic strip itself. --Jason Verlinde&laquo less

Synopsis

Amazon.com

It's easy to see why You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown is so popular. With its simple set and small cast, it has become a staple of high-school drama and small-scale productions all over America. Of course, this doesn't necessarily translate into a grandiose Broadway show, but this Michael Mayer-directed production is enjoyable. Anthony Rapp (Rent) plays an effective Charlie and Ilana Levine's Lucy is fun. The lively "Snoopy" number (Roger Bart plays the canine's role) is the musical's highlight, but such tunes as "Beethoven Day" really date the musical. Some may find it simplistic; others will love it. Which probably makes it a lot like the "Peanuts" comic strip itself. --Jason Verlinde

CD Reviews

Fantastic!

Kat | 06/30/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I love this CD! I'm even thinking about trying to get my theatre company to put it on! The songs are awsome! The cast is awsome! Anthony Rapp makes Charlie Brown sound rather dreamy! Rodger Bart as Snoopy is so awsome! He has perfect pitch and just the perfect amount of verbrato in his voice! Kristin Chenoweth is totaly the best performance on this CD! Stanley Wayne Mathis makes Schroeder soulful, not just classical. Now for BD Wong and Ilana Levine. I personaly thought they were great! You other reveiwers seem to forget that they are actors telling a story and must sing and speak that way so they can show there acting skills! All in all this is one of the best CD's ever!"

A good man, a great show!

Kat | 03/20/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I played charlie brown in a junior high production of this musical-- I wish I'd had these great arrangments to sing along to! This revival has been updated and reorchestrated to include a small ensemble orchestra as opposed to the previous recording's (now out of print) single pianist. Anthony Rapp proves his talent and versatility as he comes direct from the london company of Rent to this fantastic revival. He makes a fantastic Charlie. Fans of the original show will have a great time listening for new lyrics and musical arrangments, as well as the two new songs, "Beethoven Day" and "My New Philosophy". But happily, all the old favorites still remain, from "Snoopy" to "Happiness". A jazzed-up version of "Suppertime" brings down the house, and the title song has been redone to include a new segment for Charlie, "When do the good things start?" It fits well into the themes of the show, and brings this timeless musical into the new millenium. If you know this musical, you'll love this recording. If you don't know anything about this show, you don't know what you're missing."

Overall a Great Album, but . . .

Kat | 05/01/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I love the music here. Nice, catchy tunes that are easily hummed.The only problem I have is the fact that I cringe like I do when I hear nails on a chalkboard whenever Ilana Levine goes up for a high note.I've seen her "Seinfeld" episode, and it's one of my favorites. I love the way she interprets Lucy's speaking parts on the disc, but, God. Someone needs to teach her how to sing.Kristen Chenoweth is a joy as always, as is B.D. Wong and Anthony Rapp. I'm slowing becoming a fan of Roger Bart's work. I saw him in the "H2$" tour, and didn't take to him at all, but the "Triumph of Love" cast album totally redeemed him. His Snoopy is right on the money.The new numbers are enjoyable, especially "My New Philosophy." "Beethoven Day" is fun, but it doesn't fit in the context of the show for some reason. It does, however, showcase the amazing vocal talent of Stanley Wayne Mathis. I mean, wow.Overall take: in CD form, a necessity to any musical theatre collection solely because it is the only recording of this show in print."

A really cute show

Anna Field | Australia | 08/05/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is a fantastic score, and though the original cast recording may be more authentic/true to the Peanuts cartoon, a clearer sound and a bigger orchestra does nothing but good for this CD. Anthony Rapp is a fantastic charlie brown and shows his distress perfectly. the song that was written for kristin chenoweth is laugh-out-loud funny and a great addition. ilana lavine's voice is, i admit, little short of a screech, but it's only annoying because in the songs with the whole cast, you can tell she has a beautiful voice normally. for those who were complaining that her songs are unlistenable, it isn't that bad and it's part of lucy's character. my favourite songs are 'you're a good man, charlie brown' and 'happiness'. they both have an underlying message that makes the CD worth listening to for adults as well as children. 'for happiness is anyone and anything at all that's loved by you...' how true is that? definitely buy either this or the off-broadway cast recording, but this CD has a more definite beat and rhythm and is wonderful to listen to."